If there has been one criticism levelled at Arsene Wenger over the years it has been down to a perception - rightly or wrongly - that he has a general reluctance to part with the necessary cash to bring big name signings to the Emirates.
Following his sides 3-1 win away to Watford this afternoon Wenger confirmed the signing of two new recruits. German centre-half Shkodran Mustafi will join from Valencia, while Spanish forward Lucas Pérez - AKA the Spanish Jamie Vardy - is also on his way to North London. And Wenger, in the typical post-match glow of a victory, told the assembled media afterwards that the stereotype of how he conducts his business in the transfer market isn't an accurate one, saying:
I'm not against spending money and I've shown that.
Mustafi joins for a fee in the region of £35 million while Pérez joins after Arsenal triggered his release clause of £17.1 million and persuaded him not to join Everton which, to be fair, seems to be pretty easy these days.
Wenger on Mustafi and Lucas Perez: “They’ve both had medicals but we need to complete the paperwork”#WFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/lEvVptAJq9
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 27, 2016
Going somewhat against type, this has been a productive transfer window for Arsene Wenger's men. In addition to Mustafi and Pérez, Arsenal have also signed up Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding, Takuma Nasano and Kelechi Nwakali but the Frenchman maintains that Arsenal's activity in this window is now complete.
We had to work very hard to get signings done. We have not got any plans for anyone else now.
Incidentally, Arsenal's victory over Watford today was Wenger's 650th since taking charge of the club twenty years ago.
https://youtu.be/oEEag7EIa24
